The impromptu appearance came more than two hours ahead of his first appointment of his papacy with the faithful from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square. After the Mass, he stepped out jauntily from St. Anna's Church and waved to a crowd of hundreds kept behind barriers across the street, and then greeted the Vatican parishioners one by one. One young man patted the pope on the back in an indication of the informality that from the first moment of his papacy has been evident.

Passing time: A Mexican mariachi band play as they awaited the blessing of newly elected Pope Francis"

National pride: A woman wears a hat in Argentine national colours as she awaits the blessing of the new Pope"

Excited: Nuns sat together as they awaited the blessing of newly-elected Pope Francis in St Peter's Square"

Attendance: Crowds gather on the Via della Conciliazione outside St Peter's Square as they wait for the Pope"